Ange Postecoglou has explained why he could not bring James Maddison on sooner after leaving the attacking midfielder on the bench for a second game in a row.
Team balance was prioritised
The Tottenham head coach once again opted for a midfield trio of Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Sarr and Dejan Kulusevski against Aston Villa, with Maddison having to be content with a place on the bench.
The Spurs head coach later explained in his post-match press conference that he needed runners in the middle of the park to be able to match the work rate of the Villa midfielders (Football.London).
Maddison was eventually introduced on 82 minutes in place of the injured Richarlison (who himself had come on as a substitute), and the England international scored a lovely freekick in stoppage time to put the icing on the cake for the home side.
Ange Postecoglou’s Maddison confession
While the decision to leave Maddison on the bench was understandable, some might have been surprised that it took so long for Postecoglou to bring on the Spurs vice-captain.
With the Lilywhites 1-0 down at half-time, many may have even wanted or expected the 27-year-old to come on in the interval.
When asked why he did not bring Maddison on sooner, the Tottenham boss told Sky Sports (via The Independent): “The game wasn’t going the way it had to go for me to bring Madders on. I say to the guys they are all there to make a contribution. Madders will be key for us.”
The game wasn’t going the way it had to go for me to bring Madders on. I say to the guys they are all there to make a contribution. Madders will be key for us.”
Postecoglou’s full-time gesture
There was a lovely moment after the full-time whistle, with Postecoglou giving Maddison a big embrace while he whispered something in the midfielder’s ear.
One would assume it was some kind of message about there being more chances to shine in the near future. Just because he has spent the last two matches on the bench, doesn’t mean he should get comfortable there
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Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr was solid in the 4-1 win over Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur produced a strong display to beat Aston Villa 4-1 in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Just days before, they had secured a fantastic 2-1 Carabao Cup fourth-round victory over Manchester City, dumping the reigning Premier League champions out of the competition.
On Sunday, it was a statement win against Aston Villa, one that seemed to capture a sense of unity, pride and resilience within the Tottenham squad. There were ample positives to take from the display including that of Pape Matar Sarr.
Pape Matar Sarr has become a key player for Spurs under Ange Postecoglou. The Greek-Australian tactician has backed the Senegalese midfielder since arriving at the club in 2023, and that has led to the player being much more confident and that’s reflected in his performances. The 22-year-old, who scored in Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Man City in the Carabao Cup, produced a strong display against Villa at the weekend.
He started on the left of a three-man midfield that included Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski. The African enforcer won three duels, made three clearances and blocked one shot. Sarr helped his team break plenty of Villa’s attacks as evidenced by his two interceptions.
He had 79 touches on the ball and completed 59 out of 64 passes, thereby, clocking a healthy 92 per cent pass success rate against an effectively high-pressing Villa side. The central midfielder made one key pass and was instrumental in Spurs’ third goal which was scored by Dominic Solanke. Thanks to his unbelievable engine, he barely stopped running and completed the full 90 minutes. (Stats courtesy: SofaScore)
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has shuffled Sarr, Bentancur and Yves Bissouma since the start of the season, marginally preferring the former’s energy, dynamism, and work rate over the other two.
Although the Senegal international has only started three out of 10 Premier League games, he could overtake Bissouma for the starting role if he builds on this impressive performance during the fixture congestion.
The Lilywhites will face last season’s Turkish champions Galatasaray S.K in the Europa League during the midweek before travelling to newly promoted Ipswich Town on Sunday in the Premier League. Big Ange has used enough rotation policy during the Carabao Cup fixtures but his preference remains the most in-form player in the major competitions.
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